Regardless of what others thought, Qian Maocai was currently leading his wife from table to table, toasting and introducing the people at the main table to her. With a broad smile, he said to Zhang Muyao, "Yaoyao, this is Grandpa Shi, and this is Grandma Shi! They are the village party secretaries of our Beian Village, and also my father's great benefactors! Our whole family deeply respects these two elders."
After listening to Qian Mao's introduction, Zhang Muyao obediently greeted the elderly couple, "Hello, Grandpa Master, Hello, Grandma Master."
The old Party Secretary and his wife looked at the perfectly matched newlyweds before them, their faces beaming with happiness. The old Party Secretary cheerfully raised his glass, took a sip, and then said earnestly to Qian Mao, "Qian Mao, this boy, has always been clever and quick-witted, with a strong sense of self. Now he's married such a beautiful and sensible wife; it's truly enviable! I hope you two will support and accompany each other throughout your lives."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Muyao quickly nodded and replied, "Grandmaster, don't worry, we will definitely grow old together."
Qian Mao smiled and introduced the old man to Zhang Muyao: "This is Uncle Li, the village accountant, and also Dad's old comrade-in-arms for many years. They work together very well." Zhang Muyao smiled politely and obediently called him Uncle Li.
Li Dafa had never heard anyone introduce him like that before. Especially when he learned that Qian Mao's wife's father was actually a high-ranking official in Haishi, a surge of nervousness and excitement welled up inside him. Although he tried his best to remain calm, his voice trembled involuntarily as he spoke: "Good...good, congratulations on your marriage, may you have a son soon!"
This blessing made Zhang Muyao feel a little embarrassed, and her cheeks flushed slightly, but she still stayed close to Qian Mao and smiled as she toasted the guests.
Next, they visited Qian Sheng's relatives of the same generation, including his uncles and elders. Zhang Muyao was naturally familiar with Qian Cai, since his three sons all worked in Wanmao, so they were quite acquainted.
Qian Yin was unable to return this time because of the hotel project in Wanmao, which made Wu Qiaoling somewhat depressed, especially after seeing that Qian Xiang's family and Qian Gui had all returned, not to mention the Jin family members had also returned, leaving only Qian Yin in Pengcheng. Therefore, she was somewhat absent-minded during the meal.
Seeing her second daughter-in-law's state, He Ying felt helpless. Her second son had been away for several years. Although they were all siblings and there was no fear of anything happening, his long absence from home was indeed a problem. She thought that after this matter was over, she should ask Duo Duo to see when Qian Yin would be able to come back. After all, it wasn't good for the couple to be separated for so long!
She sighed, added a chicken leg to Wu Qiaoling's plate, and said earnestly, "Today is a good day. Don't reveal any of your worries. It's not good to offend people."
Looking at the chicken leg in front of her, Wu Qiaoling knew her mother-in-law's good intentions, but the sense of disappointment in her heart wouldn't go away. She forced a smile and nodded, as if in response to her mother-in-law.
However, although Wu Qiaoling understood her mother-in-law's good intentions, seeing others in pairs while her own husband was far away only intensified her sorrow. She couldn't help but recall the time she had spent with Qian Yin; those warm and sweet memories had now become a thorn in her side.
Amidst laughter and joy, the wedding concluded successfully. Some young men were eager to participate in the wedding night pranks, but the Qian family stopped them. They explained that the new bride was too tired today, so the pranks were cancelled. Everyone who came to prank the newlyweds received a red envelope and then left.
Zhang Muyao watched the departing crowd, secretly relieved. She turned to Qian Duoduo beside her and asked curiously, "Is the wedding night pranks here particularly fierce?" Qian Duoduo recalled the weddings he had attended, especially his experiences with the pranks, and frowned before shaking his head and replying, "That's not necessarily true; it depends on the specific situation. But these young people probably don't know how formidable my third brother is. If they did, they probably wouldn't even dare to mention it."
Zhang Muyao's lips curled slightly at Qian Duoduo's tone, finding it quite amusing. She teased, "You and Qian Mao are really siblings! Not only do you look alike, but your expressions and tones are exactly the same!" Qian Duoduo blushed slightly at this, and said coquettishly, "Sister-in-law, please stop teasing us!" After saying that, the two smiled at each other and continued to enjoy their newlywed bliss.
Qian Duoduo said to Zhang Muyao with a grin, "There are five children in our family! My eldest and second eldest brothers look like our father, and my fourth brother looks most like our mother! My third brother and I look like both our father and mother. Everyone says that we two are the best at inheriting genes, and we only inherited the best features from our parents."
Zhang Muyao nodded with a smile after hearing this. Then she noticed the old woman lingering outside the window twice and reminded her, "Auntie, you've been lingering outside twice, is something wrong?"
Qian Duoduo was taken aback upon hearing this. She turned her head and saw He Ying waving at her. So she nodded and turned back to Zhang Muyao, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, I'll go out and call Fourth Sister-in-law to sit with you for a while, and also see what Auntie wants to see me about."
Zhang Muyao smiled and nodded in agreement. Qian Duoduo walked out of the room and saw Wen Yugui helping to start the fire in the kitchen. She approached Wen Yugui and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, why don't you go in and keep Third Sister-in-law company?"
Wen Yugui readily agreed, then put down the fire poker in her hand, washed her hands, and walked towards the bridal chamber.
Qian Duoduo walked into the courtyard and came to He Ying's side. When she saw Wu Qiaoling there, she seemed to suddenly understand something.
He Ying smiled and pulled Qian Duoduo to sit down on a small stool. Wu Qiaoling followed behind with her child. He Ying pulled Qian Duoduo and asked directly, "Duoduo, Qian Yin has been in Pengcheng for several years now. When will he be back?"
Qian Duoduo said with a smile, "We were indeed too busy in the past few years, and many things in the company were not yet on the right track, so none of us brothers came back for the New Year."
Speaking of this, He Ying also knew about it. After all, her three children, Qian Sheng's three children, Jin's two sons, and Jin Kuohao had all gone to the south. They didn't come back for the New Year. It was then that they saw Qian Mao on TV and learned what kind of thing they had done in Shenzhen that made it onto the news. It was like their ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke.
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